Vivere-Dallas Helps Couples Overcome Secondary Infertility

DALLAS, Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For women who conceived their first child rather easily, an infertility diagnosis can come as a bit of shock. Secondary infertility is estimated to affect approximately 4 million families in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 11 percent of couples who already have a child go on to experience secondary infertility.

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If you run into difficulty getting pregnant the second time around, the physicians at Vivere-Dallas Surgery Center and IVF Laboratory offer hope in the form of advanced reproductive techniques, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Jasmin Ganison, 32, was 19 years old when she gave birth to her daughter Elizabeth in October of 2000. It was so easy to get pregnant that she didn't think twice about having another child when the timing was right. Soon after marrying her husband DeKendrick in November of 2011, the couple decided to focus on growing their family together. "We knew we wanted to have a baby, so we started trying to get pregnant right away," Jasmin said.

After several months of trying to conceive with no success, the Ganisons sought the help of doctor Noel Peng, M.D., a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at Vivere-Dallas. Dr. Peng is also the founder and medical director of the IVF Institute in Dallas.

"The Ganisons are not alone," Dr. Peng said. "About one in seven couples encounter infertility - and secondary infertility is actually as common as not being able to conceive at all in the first place."

According to Dr. Peng, secondary infertility is caused by many of the same problems that lead to primary infertility, such as ovulatory disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, and endometriosis. Male infertility factors including sperm quality (concentration, movement, and shape) also impact both primary and secondary infertility.

"Age also plays a role, particularly if you were a lot younger when you had your first child or you had a late start to family building," Dr. Peng said. "The ability of a woman's ovaries to produce genetically normal eggs declines with age, especially after age 35. Some causes of infertility may also worsen over time, like endometriosis or growing fibroids."

If you are an older couple or have a condition that is affecting your health, early diagnosis and treatment of secondary infertility is important. "You may want to talk to your doctor sooner, rather than later." Dr. Peng said. "One third of infertility can be attributed to male factors, and about one third can be attributed to female factors. Other cases are due to a combination of problems in both partners."

The Ganisons learned that they fell into the "both partners" category. DeKendrick began taking medications to increase sperm count. Jasmin discovered that an ovulatory disorder and scarring as well as underlying health conditions all played a role in the couple's inability to conceive as quickly as they had hoped possible.

"In addition to being diagnosed with lupus several years ago, I have a hyperactive thyroid and hemoglobin anemia.  Any one of these conditions alone can impact fertility," Jasmin said. "Collectively, they greatly reduced our odds of conceiving without medical intervention."

After receiving permission from her other doctors to undergo infertility treatments, the Ganisons met with Dr. Peng to discuss their options. As a first step, Jasmin had surgery to remove scar tissue in her uterus.

"DeKendrick and I decided that IVF offered us the best chance of having a baby," Jasmin said. "And it worked on the first try. It was an emotional rollercoaster ride for us this past year, but knowing where we are today takes that all away and fills our hearts with so much joy."

According to Jasmin, her ovaries responded well to infertility medications, and Dr. Peng was able to fertilize her healthy eggs using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This cutting-edge technique involves the direct injection of a single sperm into a single egg. Two embryos were implanted in Jasmin's uterus this past May.

"Within two weeks of IVF, we learned that I was pregnant," she said. "We couldn't have been happier."

Jasmin explained that her infertility journey was not without its struggles. She experienced some vaginal bleeding on Father's Day and was rushed to the hospital. She was put on bed rest for a month by her obstetrician. "An ultrasound revealed one healthy heartbeat, so I suspect the bleeding was the result of passing the second embryo," she said. "Other than that very scary time for us, it was smooth sailing."

On January 28, 2014, Jasmin and DeKendrick Garison welcomed their son, Jayden Anthony. Along with big sister Elizabeth, the Ganison family is now complete.

"I would advise anyone experiencing secondary infertility to seek the help of a good fertility doctor. Give it a try. Hang in there and never give up hope," she said.

For more information on infertility diagnosis and treatment, please visit www.viverehealth.com.

About Vivere Health, LLC

Vivere Health, LLC is the leading expert in the nation for building, managing and enhancing multi-specialty Ambulatory Surgery Centers and laboratories for comprehensive reproductive health and more. Founded in 2010, the company partners with physician specialists nationwide to develop Centers of Excellence, which are customized to the individual needs of physician partners and their patients. Along with its physician partners, Vivere Health is dedicated to the highest quality patient care and outcomes and is helping shape the future of women's health and reproductive medicine.

Vivere Health is headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., and includes locations in Austin, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans and Winter Park, Fla. For more information about Vivere Health, please visit www.viverehealth.com.

Contact: Jana Windels
[email protected]
214-288-5310

SOURCE Vivere Health, LLC